Construction for paint roller



June 3, 1969 J. J. McGlNLEY 3,447,184

CONSTRUCTION FOR PAINT ROLLER Original Filed Feb. 18, 1965 ffffffffffffffff f.

V A' y lg-gm v5/ "III'Z'I'I ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,447,184 CONSTRUCTION FOR PAINT ROLLER James J. McGinley, Williston Park, N.Y., assignor to Rollers By Baker, Inc., Brandon, Vt., a corporation of Michigan Original application Feb. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 433,604, now Patent 3,335,446, dated Aug. 15, 1967. Divided and this application Mar. 31, 1967, Ser. No. 644,041

Int. Cl. Bc 1/08 U.S. Cl. 15-230.11 I 4 Claims ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE This application is a division of my application Ser. No. 433,604, filed Feb. 18, 1965, entitled Construction for Paint Roller, now Patent No. 3,335,446.

This invention relates to a paint roller construction, and more particularly to an improved paint roller construction adapted particularly to accommodate paint rollers of inner diameters which vary within a predetermined range of tolerances.

The invention further relates to a paint roller frame of simple and inexpensive construction, having the advantage that the roller may ybe removed after use without the necessity for handling the same.

It is known that paint roller sleeves, although purportedly of a given size, often vary within wide ranges of tolerances. This is particularly apparent from a comparison of roller sleeves made by diiferent manufacturers. It is an object of the present invention to provide a roller frame capable of supporting roller sleeves having a relatively wide variation in inside diameter.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved paint roller frame |whereby the roller sleeve may be removed from the frame without the necessity of manually gripping the roller to pull it olf.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a roller of the type described and from which the roller sleeve may be demounted without manually gripping the sleeve, the roller frame being of an uncomplicated, readily manufactured construction, Which construction will perform its intended function notwithstanding the inadvertent admission of paint into the interior of the roller frame.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or .be hereinafter pointed out, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in Iwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational View of a paint roller assembly in accordance with the invention, portions thereof being shown in section;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 of another embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a section taken on the line 3 3 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 of a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGURE 1, there is shown a paint roller frame comprising a gripper handle 11 and a bent extension rod 12 leading to axle 13.

Patented June 3, 1969 yOn the axle 13, adjacent the free end thereof, there is mounted on outer end cap 14 which is, in the usual manner, free to rotate about the axle. The outer end cap 14 includes an outwardly directed, annular support shoulder 15 of a size slightly smaller than the inner diameter of paint roller sleeves calculated to be used with the roller frame. The outer end cap 14 is prevented from moving longitudinally of the axle 13 by a cotter pin 16 extending transversely through the axle, washer 17 being interposed between the pin and the outer end cap. It will be evident that other means for preventing longitudinal movement of the end cap 15 may be substituted for the cotter pin and washer.

An inner end cap 20 is rotatably mounted on the axle in spaced relation to the outer end cap 14. Movement of the end cap 20 away from outer end cap 14 is prevented, as by lugs 21, struck up from the material of the axle, a spacer washer 22 preferably being interposed between the outer end of the end cap and the lugs 21.

The end cap 20 includes a peripheral support shoulder 23 for engaging the inner surface of a paint roller sleeve, an annular abutment shoulder 24 forming a stop for the inner end of the roller sleeve being formed adjacent the inner end of the support shoulder 23. The inner end cap 20 is free to move toward and away from the outer end cap 14.

Interposed between the end caps there is formed a gripper assembly 30, of variable diameter calculated frictionally to engage portions of the inner surface of roller sleeves S supported on the roller frame. The gripper assembly 30 includes a ferrule or collar 31 of tubular construction, rotatably supported on the axle 13. The ferrule 31 is lixed against movement longitudinally of the axle on one end by lugs 32 struck up from the axle, and at the opposite end by a cotter pin 33 and spacer washer 34. The ferrule 31, adjacent spacer washer 34, is provided with a radially extending stop collar 35. The opposite end of the ferrule 31 is formed with an external thread as at 36, a complementally threaded compression nut 37 being mounted over the said threaded portion. The outer end of the compression nut 37 vbears against a pair of axially shiftable washers 38.

Interposed between a washer 38 and the collar 35, there is disposed a resilient, compressible gripper mass 39, having a high coei'licient of friction, preferred examples of materials for such mass being synthetic and natural rubbers. The gripper mass is annular in conliguration, the inner diameter of the gripper mass being seated on the main cylindrical body portion of the ferrule 31 and the outer surface 40 of the gripper mass being formed to have a greater diameter at the medial portions thereof than at the inner and outer end portions.

.In use, a roller sleeve is slid, in the normal manner, first over the outer end cap 14, then over the gripper mass 39, and nally into seated engagement over the support shoulder Z3 of inner end cap 20, the stop shoulder 24, together with the limiting action of the lugs 21, serving to form an inward limit for the roller sleeve.

The effective diameter of the gripper mass 39, particularly at its central point, -may be varied by varying the position of the compression end 37 on the threaded portion 36 of ferrule 31. As the gripper nut is tightened toward collar 35, it will be evident that the mass 39 will be subjected to `additional compression and, hence, foreshortened lengthwise and consequently increased in diameter. Thus, if a particular paint roller sleeve is found to be too loose, it is possible to accommodate the frame within reasonable limits of tolerance to the diameter of the paint roller sleeve S by tightening or loosening the compression nut 37.

To remove a paint roller sleeve S after use (the mounted roller sleeve being shown in dot and dash lines in FIGURE 1) it is merely necessary to press the inner end cap 20 axially outward toward the outer end cap 14. It will be evident that the initial movements Will carry the paint roller sleeve to the partially demounted position shown in solid lines in FIGURE l. The initial movements aforesaid result in the outer end of the roller sleeve overhanging or outwardly lapping the outer end cap 14. At this position, it is possible for the user to place his fingers within the partially demounted sleeve, in a position which is free, or at least relatively free, of paint, and thus to draw the roller clear of the frame.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 2, there is shown a different form of the invention in which the demounting of the roller sleeve is further facilitated. In this embodiment, the outer end cap 14 is mounted on axle 13 in the same manner as described in connection with the ernbodiment of FIGURE 1. In the embodiment of FIGURE 2, the inner end cap 20', in addition to the roller support shoulder 23' and the roller stop portion 24', includes an outwardly projecting, annular skirt portion 25. Between the inner and outer end caps 14 and 20 respectively, there is disposed a roller gripper portion 50 comprising a central hub 51, rotatably mounted on the axle 13 and maintained in position against substantial longitudinal movement along the axle, as by transversely extending pins S2, 53, or any other suitable mechanism,-

Extending radially from the hub 51, there is formed a series of spring arms 54, the major body portion 55 of the arms being inclined outwardly from the axle and forwardly toward the outer end cap. The leading edge 56 of the arms, as viewed in the direction of a roller sleeve, is inclined forwardly toward the outer end cap and inwardly toward the axle.

In the use of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, the roller sleeve S' is inserted inwardly over the outer end cap 14 in the direction of the inner end cap 20. As the leading end of the roller S passes over the gripper assembly 50, the inclined portions S6 of the arms 54 will be engaged yby the leading edge of the roller sleeve, resulting in an inward radial compression of the arms 54. The roller may be pressed to its fully inserted position in which the inner end of the roller bears against stop flange 24 and the inner diameter of the sleeve is supported on the annular shoulder 23' of the inner end cap 20'.

When it is desired to demount the roller sleeve in accordance with the embodiment of FIGURE 2, it is merely necessary to slide the inner cap 20' toward the outer end cap 14. At an interim position, the leading edge of the annular iiange 25' will bear against the rearwardly disposed faces 55 of the arms 54, further outward movement of the end cap 20' causing the arms 54 to be cammed radially inwardly from the solid line position of FIGURE 2, to the dot and dash position.

It will thus be seen that the paint roller sleeve which had initially been maintained on the roller frame primarily, or substantially exclusively, by the frictional retaining contact with the outer ends of the radially extending arms, is completely released from contact with the arms. Thus, the embodiment of FIGURE 2 has the decided advantage of permitting removal of the roller sleeve without the necessity for gripping the sleeve.

In some instances, as where paint may have seeped into the interior of the frame structure, a slight shaking of the roller frame will be all that is necessary to dislodge the roller sleeve, enabling it to drop free under the influence of its own weight.

The embodiment of FIGURE 2 is most effectively employed where the outer diameter of the end cap and the inner diameter of the roller sleeve provide a very loose sliding t.

The location of the central skirt 25 is not critical, and it will be readily recognized that, if desired, the annular roller sleeve support shoulder 23 may be extended forwardly. In such construction, the outer surface of the support shoulder may perform its usual function, whereas the inner surface of the said support shoulder may Ibe utilized as the means for radially depressing the gripper arms from contact with the inner diameter of the roller sleeve. The claims are accordingly to be broadly construed to cover such construction.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 4, wherein like parts have been given like reference numerals, there is provided an axially shiftable gripper assembly 60, along with the axially shiftable inner end cap 20". In this embodiment, the gripper includes inwardly and radially inclined arms 61, normally biased to a spread condition. The gripper includes a hub 62 rotatably mounted on the axle 13", movement of the -hub 62 toward the end cap 20" being limited as by an enlargement 63, or some equivalent means, on the axle.

The end cap 20" preferably includes a hub portion 64 which, when the end cap is moved toward the outer end cap 14", engages against hub 62 of the gripper means and carries the latter member toward the outer end cap. The outer end cap 14 includes an inwardly directed skirt portion 65, positioned to engage against the outer edge portions of the arms 61 when said arms are pressed against the skirt 65 under the influence of the outward pressure applied through the end cap 20".

In this embodiment, the roller sleeve S is removed by shifting the inner end cap 20 outwardly along the axle. In a partially moved position, the hub 64- of the inner end cap engages and carries with it hub 62 of the gripper assembly. Continued axial movement of the end cap 20" brings arms 61 into engagement with the skirt 65 of the yfixed outer end cap, camming said arms inwardly and thus releasing the frictional connection between the gripper means and the interior of the cylinder.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that variations and embodiments employing the novel concepts herein disclosed may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention and accordingly the invention is to be broadly construed within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention and illustrated its use, what is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A paint roller frame comprising a handle connected -to an axle having a free end, an outer end cap rotatably mounted on said axle adjacent said free end, and inner end cap rotatably mounted on said axle and movable to- Ward and away from said free end, said inner end cap having an annular roller support shoulder and a roller stop portion, gripper means for frictionally engaging the inner surface of a paint roller rotatably mounted on said axle between said end caps, gripper means being iixed against movement longitudinally of said axle beyond a predetermined lpoint, and including a plurality of spring arms extending radially from said axle and inclined toward said free end, a cylindrical arm depresser portion formed on said inner end cap inwardly of said roller support shoulder, said depresser portion being disposed in the path of said gripper arms, said depresser portion coacting with said arms to cam said arms radially inwardly when said inner end cap is shifted toward said outer end cap, thereby to release said arms from frictional engagement with said roller.

2. A device in accordance With claim 1 wherein said support shoulder forms a loose fit with the inner surface of said roller.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the ends of said arms include cam portions inclined toward said free end and said axle, said cam portions being -positioned to coact with the leading edge of a roller inserted on said frame to shift said arms radially inward.

4. A paint roller frame `for removably mounting a cylindrical roller sleeve comprising a handle leading to an axle, inner and outer end caps rotatably mounted in spaced relation on said axle, said outer end cap being disposed adjacent the free end of said axle, said inner end cap being movable toward and away from said outer end cap, roller support shoulders on said end caps, said support shoulders providing a loose sliding t with the interior of said roller, ya stop shoulder on said inner end cap adjacent said support shoulder, gripper means rotaably and axially movably mounted on said axle between said end caps for frictionally gripping the interior of said roller, release means on said outer end cap positioned to engage and shift said gripper means to release said roller responsive to movement of said inner end cap toward said outer end cap.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,675,605 4/ 1954 Thomas 29-116 3,060,555 10/ 1962 Kirshenbaum et al. 15-230.11 X

ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 29-117 

